BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 1st May 2020)-Bus drivers in St.Kitts-Nevis have the right to put out passengers not wearing masks regarding safety measures in place to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Superintendent Cromwell Henry publicized the green light for such in speaking at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 29th April 2020 following a concern raised by a bus driver.

He informed that passengers found not wearing are will be liable for such and not the bus driver.

“Each person is liable for their actions …and so the person who breaches the regulation is the person responsible. So the regulation requires that every person to wear a mask so if the police finds you without a mask, you are the one who will be liable not the bus driver. We only ask that the bus driver assists in enforcing the regulation by asking these passengers to put on their masks before they come in but once they get in a remove the mask and they are caught by the police, they are responsible and not the driver.”

Superintendent Cromwell added: “The bus driver, he can stop the vehicle if he finds that persons are removing the masks once they begin to drive. He can stop the vehicle and ask them to alight or he can drive them to the nearest police station and ask the police to have the, removed from the vehicle. So again, you can put the passenger off the bus if they insists on not wearing the masks.”

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 28th April 2020)-Deputy Labour Commissioner Dr. Deon Webb has raised a concern that workers in St.Kitts-Nevis are being asked to use their holidays during the period of total lockdown amidst restrictions regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which goes against the Holidays With Pay Act.

“It has been brought to the attention of the Labour Commissioner’s Office that employees are being asked to use their annual paid holidays on the days when the Federation is on 24 hours lockdown,” he expressed in a statement issued on Tuesday 28th April 2020 whereby he quoted the relevant sections in addressing the topic.

Dr. Webb pointed out that the Holidays With Pay Act Cap 18.15 of the Laws of Saint Christopher & Nevis section 3 (5) reads: “The annual paid holiday shall be given and taken in one period or, where the employer and worker so agree, in two periods and not otherwise, and every such agreement shall be in writing signed by both employer and worker.”

He also underlined Section 3 (8) of the said act which states: “Subject to the provisions of this Act, the employer shall decide upon the date on which the annual paid holiday shall commence in accordance with subsection (7) of this section and shall give to the worker not less than seven days notice of such date, provided that such notice may be waived by mutual consent in writing.”

The Labour Department official went on further to highlight, section 4 (2) reads: “Every worker who takes his or her annual paid holiday in one period shall be paid the holiday pay referred to in subsection (1) of this section not later than the day immediately preceding the commencement of such holiday.”

Additionally, he touched on section 4 (3) states that: “Every worker who takes his or her annual paid holiday in two periods shall, not later than the day immediately preceding the commencement of each of the two periods of holiday, be paid that portion of his or her holiday pay which is in the same proportion to his or her holiday pay for fourteen days as the number of days holiday about to be taken by him or her is in proportion to fourteen days.”

“In light of the foregoing, it is unlawful for any employer to apply annual paid holidays outside what is prescribed by the Holidays with Pay Act Cap 18.15 (take annual paid holidays in one period or in two periods),” Dr. Webb concluded.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts Friday 1st May 2020)-The Chief Medical Officer says 60% of the fifteen (15) confirmed positive COVID-19 patients are between the ages of 21 and 40 years with the bigger number being males.

The top health official disclosed mathematical details at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Thursday 30th April 2020.

To date, within nine days, six (6) individuals have recovered from the novel coronavirus in St.Kitts-Nevis while (9) others remain in isolation who have reportedly spent on average, at least 27 days between diagnosis and recovery.

“The confirmed cases comprise of 53% males and 47 % females with 60% of the cases are between the ages of 21 and 40 years. The age of the patients range from 9 months to 66 years and the mean or average age is 32 years,” Dr. Laws said.

She continued: “In terms of clinical manifestations, 87% were symptomatic or manifesting symptoms and the remainder were symptom free. The most common symptoms as I’ve said before are fever cough and sore throat. To date, six cases have recovered with an average duration of 27 days between diagnosis and recovery.”

She said so far the public health team has traced and tested, 193 contacts of cases and 3% or 5 contacts were positive.

“Testing of suspected cases of COVID-19 and contacts remain a priority for the Ministry of Health,” the CMO stated.

At the NEOC Daily Briefing held Tuesday 21st April, the first recovery was announced followed by one more recovery publicized on Friday 24th April. Then on Sunday 26th April- two more and an additional two on Wednesday 29th April.

Leading up to press deadline on Thursday 30th April, COVID-19 details for St.Kitts-Nevis were as follows:

· 293 persons tested with 15 confirmed positive, 271 confirmed negative with 7 results pending

· Zero deaths

· 56 quarantined in a government facility

· 54 quarantine at home

· 9 persons in isolation

· 688 have been released from quarantine

At 3:00 PM that day, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 3, 90,445 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 217,769 deaths.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 1st May 2020)- Stay mentally positive is the advice being given by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws as a top tip in the fight against the coronavirus in helping to keep one’s immune system strong.

“Stay positive. A positive attitude can improve your immune system and may help you live longer. See the cup as half full as opposed to half empty. Always remember the things you are thankful for and adopt an attitude of gratitude. Remember, each of us have our part to play in protecting our lives, ourselves and others from this disease”

Dr. Laws expressed such sentiments as part of her presentation at National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 29th April 2020.

According to her: “While there is currently no cure for coronavirus, there are some steps that everyone can take to support their natural defenses against viruses like this one. The body’s immune system is what helps to fight off these pathogens. There are a number of ways in which you can support your own immune system to make it as strong and effective as possible…”

Dr. Laws also urged individuals to reduce their stress levels.

“Stress can suppress the immune system and interfere with the infection fighting ability of your white blood cells, making you more prone and susceptible to contracting illnesses. This can be done by developing coping mechanisms such as keeping in contact with close friends and relatives who provide positive emotional support to reduce stress levels and avoid unnecessary worry about things you have no control over.”

Other areas highlighted and reemphasized were eating more fruits and vegetables and leafy greens, getting more sleep and daily dosage of vitamin D, get more sleep and daily dosage of vitamin D, practice good hygiene, continue to practice social distancing measures, engage in effect hand washing practices and wear masks in public spaces.

Dr. Laws also encouraged individuals to consume at least three servings of fruits and vegetables daily noting that such contain high levels of antioxidants and nutrients which boost the production of cells which supports the immune system

On the subject of getting more sleep and daily dosage of vitamin D, the CMO remarked: “While we sleep, our body repairs and builds our immune system to fight off viruses. Aim to get at least six to eight hours of sleep daily. Sunshine increases vitamin D. Our body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on our skin when we are outdoors. Studies show that vitamin D activates the cells that help to fight infections. Aim to get one to two hours of direct sunlight per day to get your fill of vitamin D. Exposure to sunlight is preferred at the beginning and at the end of each day to minimize the harmful effect of ultraviolet light on your skin.”

She went on to say that proper hygiene such as washing hand regularly using a disposable tissue when blowing nose or coughing into your flexed elbow will help to decrease the spread of viruses. Aim to wash your hands after touching contaminated surfaces.

“By adhering to these practices, we will see positive outcomes and win the fight against this invisible enemy,” Dr. Laws told.

Photo: Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 1st May 2020) – The 62nd annual Basil Henderson Easter Monday Aquatic Sports Meet was slated to take place on Monday 13th April 2020 at the Ferry Terminal in Basseterre at 9:00 AM. Just like other events, however, that outdoorsy one was put off due to curfew and safety restrictions surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reaching the shores of St.Kitts-Nevis.

Event coordinator Winston ‘Zack’ Nisbett, who is a well-known cultural preservationist, was recently interviewed over the phone; different to the usual face- to- face chit about the yearly affair.

Nisbett, the keeper of the Zack’s Historical-Cultural Library and Museum, revealed that he is glad for the ‘stay at home’ breaks and, in a light-hearted moment, he told that he had just finished his lunch of dumpling and breadfruit with mackerel and a glass of local soursop juice.

Being more at home these days, he has been able to concentrate on better planning the next aquatic event and also focus on completing a book he is writing entitled ‘A Bad Wind Never Blow’ aimed at spotlighting the aquatic sports happenings over the years.

“The curfew period has been good and bad thing but more so good. I have gotten the chance to get some much needed work done including house work, educational, motivational compilation and also, the book on the aquatic sports years is almost there,” he shared.

Commenting on what the aquatic team’s level of readiness was like leading up the event, he had this to say: “We were more than prepared. In fact, the week before the pandemic got here, we were ready with new sponsorship as well as contenders from Nevis. Everything was in order; just for us to collect prizes.”

Nisbett added: “That is said and gone as we’ve cancelled the event for this year since we don’t know when this devil of a disease will ease up but we will meditate and prepare for the better longevity of the annual event in putting our bells in order.”

In giving his take on the current pandemic he said: “I have never seen anything like this; it’s catastrophic. At this time, however, this pandemic gives us a chance to pray, to go on our knees and thank the Father for having us alive when we look at other places around the world with over 60,000 deaths, we are grateful not to have any deaths here. I pray for the speedy recovery of those remaining in isolation and I am also appealing to everyone to be safe at this time.”

He provided further insight about his book saying it will cover the “Basil Henderson era” and what the water front was like as part of the content.

Additionally, Nisbett praised the late Henderson as being “dynamic 4-Her in regard to community development and enhancement of positivity in the community, infrastructure and family conflict resolutions. This book will give me the chance to write and show the population of St.Kitts and Nevis that we are number one in terms of cultural and social affairs. We need to get back to basics in terms of manners, self-sufficiency and other values.”

All businesses, individuals and others who have contributed over the years would be featured in his book, he also voiced.

According to him, this year’s meet would have been better organised with the regular swim races, greasy pole ham and money fetch competitions along with new initiatives and a special exhibition boxing that would have made “everybody happy” in an atmosphere of family togetherness and socializing.

“…but all goes we’ll be stronger for the next one and plan even earlier,” he said.

The supporters list for the annual aquatic meet over the years include: Courts (St.Kitts-Nevis) Ltd. Builders Paradise, Diamond Security, TDC Automotive, Hobson Enterprise, Uncle T’s (Terrence Dolphin), Indigo Yacht, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Ashbury’s, Letisha (Letty) Ryan, Andrew Miller, Shashamane Bar, Sugar City FM, Family Snackette, St.Kitts-Nevis Brewery Ltd., Koscab, Scenic Railway, SKN Newsline, Warner’s One Stop, Demerara Distillers, Coury’s Wholesale, Coury’s Hardware, Sun Island Clothes Ltd., TDC Home & Building Depot, Dominos, Island Hopper, Harpers, Roslind Nicholls, ZIZ Radio/TV, RAMS, John Richards, Karen Liburd, Freedom FM, The Democrat, The Labour Spokesman, China Town, Sea View Inn, Coast Guard, Tropical Shipping, Stage Lighting (Loftus Bridgewater), ZanPach, Best For Less, Solomon Sahely, Fancy Loaf Bakery, FLOW, S.L Horsford & Company Ltd., St.Kitts Electricity Company (SKELEC), Red Cross and St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Sunday 26th April 2020)-Two more individuals have recovered from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in St.Kitts-Nevis, making it four patients in total as eleven remain in isolation.

This information was revealed at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Sunday 26th April 2020.

Public Relations Officer of the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) Dr. Marissa Carty- as part of her presentation- told that “there are now four confirmed cases who have recovered with zero deaths.”

More up to date details are as follows:

-292 persons tested (with 15 confirmed positive)

-247 confirmed negative

-30 results pending

-1 person quarantined at a government facility

-85 quarantined at home
661 released from quarantine

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 24th April 2020)- Deputy Leader of the Opposition St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and Parliamentary Representative of Constituency Two (Central Basseterre) Marcella Liburd  has pointed to independent turned vulnerable individuals affected due to unemployment matters concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Additionally, she is putting it to the government that individuals are having issues accessing the $1000 monthly stimulus package.

Liburd was at the time speaking on the Wednesday 22nd April 2020 edition of  the party-sponsored ‘Issues’  programme aired on Freedom FM in making observations from the party’s newly- launched project dubbed NextGenSKN Cares COVID-19 Initiative, aimed to assist persons in need which saw a third round conducted the day before (Tuesday).

“One of the things that I have noticed is that even persons who were normally independent are now in the vulnerable group because they are not working; not getting an income at all or their income has been reduced and so it pushes them into that vulnerable bracket, and so for some of them it is very difficult at this time because they are so accustomed to be very independent minded, and so our hearts really go out to them and wherever we can help them we do as well in whatever way we can,” Liburd remarked.

“In going around yesterday, I also noticed that there are many persons who were crying out because they have not been able to access this $1000 or any part of it from this stimulus package,” she said.

Liburd pointed two areas of concerns as being no access to fill forms online and being disqualified for various reasons noting that there are mixed messages about who qualifies thus leaving persons confused.

In touching on the reasoning  behind the party’s care package initiative, she stated: “Recognising that this COVID-19 was going to severely disrupt  and out thousands of our citizens out of work, we foresaw that they would be bearing hardship  that would bring hardship and suffering on our people, and so we immediately  launched this care initiative  to bring some relief to those who are most vulnerable the elderly persons with disabilities , the shut-ins, the unemployed  and those who were laid off and who continue to be laid off and those who have been put  on reduced hours of work.”

She informed that for the third round of these care packages in Central Basseterre, the “response has been overwhelming. People are grateful for the assistance, and so we hear daily cries for help and we will continue to assist in whatever ways we can.”

Liburd said 100 packages were distributed which brings the total number of packages distributed in her constituency 420.

She said following this week’s outing, a list has been made to include others “and so we’re doing everything we can to ensure that more of these care packages are distributed to those who still didn’t get an opportunity to get one.”

The former government health minister said local pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots were included in the packages “which we thought would help to boost the immune system of people in fighting this virus and at the same time, it also helps to promote our local farmers and give them an opportunity in these very difficult times as well because we know that they too are experiencing such difficulty at this time.”

Additionally, she disclosed that there are plans for another initiative which she has already brought to the attention of the Party, expected to come on stream soon.

According to information coming from the SKNLP’s public relations office, the initiative was launched on Friday 3rd April under the auspices of Deputy Party Leader and Constituency Representative for Constituency Two (Central Basseterre) Marcella Liburd, Constituency One (East Basseterre candidate Dr. Geoffrey Hanley and Constituency Four candidate Steve Wrensford, of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party, on WINNFM Radio and via Facebook live.

As gathered, the objective of this first NextGenSKN project is the distribution of about 4000 care packages to the socioeconomic displaced employees of the hospitality and manufacturing enclave sectors, most of whom are relatively young and receiving minimum wage as well as the elderly, shut-ins, mentally challenged and less abled.

On Saturday 4th April, all eight (8) members/Candidates of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party’s NextGenSKN Team delivered simultaneously their first wave of over 1000 Care packages around the entire island of St Kitts, to deserving citizens and residents living in the capital city Basseterre and its suburbs, and throughout our various towns and villages.